To share and connect with those interested in writing from life, recording their personal histories, writing a memoir for publication and/or personal use, and all things related to writing one's story.

"Have you thought about writing your family history, but found yourself stuck from the start? Writing a family narrative can be a daunting task, but Karen Jones Gowen found a way to bring her mother's story to life." (Homespun Magazine)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Ninety years ago, before texting and Twitter...

Today my mom would have turned 94. Here is a postcard that was sent to her on the occasion of her third birthday. Which makes this postcard over 90 years old! It was sent from her Aunt Elizabeth, who lived in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In case you can't see the inscription on the front, it says,

A Happy Birthday

Dance and play the livelong day

And startle the air with a song.

And keep just as happy as you can

Till the next one comes along.

And on the back is a message written in pencil!! Here is what it says:

Right, I don't really expect you to be able to read this. So I'll transcribe it for you. It's addressed to Lucille Marker, Inavale, Nebr. c/o J. Marker (her dad John Marker). The message says,

My Dear Girlie--

I believe a little girl is three years old now. Do you miss Aunt Bernice, it is nice for me to have her in Lincoln. Hope Mama bakes "her little girl" a cake if she is a good girl.

Auntie Elizabeth

What a delightful message from the past to discover on my mother's birthday!

10 comments:

HOw poignant, Karen. The grieving process will continue for awhile, my friend. It gets less intense as time goes on, but there will always be moments when you realize someone's gone. Or a way of life has changed. My thoughts are with you...Karen

Hi Karen .. I think it's wonderful you still have those memories and records - her high school graduation photo to the right looks gorgeous .. so much ahead for her .. and she lived a fulfilling life too. Happy memory day - with many thoughts .. Hilary

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Just Do It! Write Your Story

"I devoted myself, early on, to writing. Really writing. Just doing it, no matter how awkward and unfit I felt. So every single morning I am on the planet, I grit my teeth and this hard, embarrassing, abject, thrilling thing--writing--because I want, in part, to count." (from Page after Page by Heather Sellers)

Photos from Farm Girl

High school graduation photo of Lucille Marker, the farm girl

Lucille drinking from the well

John Marker, Dust Bowl Days

The Marker Nebraska farmstead

"Farm Girl presents a vision of life on a Nebraska homestead during the 1920's and 1930's, told from a child's perspective, and illustrated with photographs of the time." (Quincy Herald Whig)

"Through the intertwined stories of the life of the Marker family and of the broader historical time period, the book is more than captivating. Gowen's vivid account of her mother's life allows Farm Girl to read as seamlessly as if one were recalling personal memories." (The Holyoke Enterprise)

"Farm Girl will capture the interest of readers in the photos the book contains and witty recollections Lucille has of her grandparents in Catherton Township." (The Red Cloud Chief)

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